Yesterday we said the rain would arrive before lunch. The radar disagreed. Saturday is starting softer than the forecast had us bracing for — mostly cloudy and 58 first thing, climbing toward a high near 83 if the clouds get out of the way. The first showers don't show up in the official forecast until after 2pm, with a thunderstorm or two possibly mixed into the afternoon. There's a real window before that. Use it.
The big ticket tonight is at the Jefferson Center — Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis at 8 in Shaftman Performance Hall, with a workshop at 6 for anyone curious about the inner workings. It's the kind of show this city doesn't get often, and the weather works in its favor: by eight, with storms still moving through, there's nowhere you'd rather be than inside a hall with that band on stage.
The Taubman has the steadiest daytime plan — free general admission until 5, a 1pm Art & Architecture walking tour on the Both Sides of the Track route, and Paint-Your-Pet kits sitting at the front desk. The Wire-Wrapped Rings class at 10:30 already sold out, which is the kind of detail you only catch by looking. Big Lick's calendar is quiet this week, and Mill Mountain doesn't open Madagascar Jr. on the Mainstage until Wednesday.
After tonight's line of storms moves through, Sunday eases back to a partly-sunny 66 with only a slight chance of a stray shower, and Monday returns to a clean 72 and full sun. The weekend isn't lost — just compressed into the right hours.
At the flats: RND around the corner for coffee on the way out, Martin's patio if the sky cooperates at lunch, and A Few Old Goats downstairs to close the day with whatever's freshest on the board. If you make it to Marsalis, save us a story.